Blogger Derby 2011: Lessons Learned, Lessons Taught

The imperative for today is to write about what I've learned this year. Trying to distill into several paragraphs most of what's been learned during these 340 days is quite a challenge.

The other half of the exercise is to talk about what I've taught this year. Well, I talked about a lot of things but it isn't clear whether or not I was heard. People just sort of put their bodies in front of me (or the computers) and leaned on one hand that was tucked under their chin. I'm willing to bet if I asked them to repeat what I said, they'd be hard pressed to do so. People tend to tune me out. Some have accused me of being too proud - to the point of being pompous.

Some people laugh off what I have to say because it doesn't mesh with their experiences and therefore their knowledge. The thing of it is, we all bring our own experiences to the table to add to what's already there. From that point, we come to a more clear picture and are then able to act in the proper way from a better informed position.

Ah, but what I've learned this year is an altogether different story.

Coping with Disabilities

Many companies want to believe they are progressive in their attitudes about people with disabilities. Then the person who has one discovers they're very disappointed with the accommodations they're provided. Many businesses are focused on people who use wheelchairs and red-tipped canes. They forget about the many other types of disabilities or impairments and nonvisible impairments simply do not come to mind. How is it, then, that Uncle George or Aunt Suzie manage with their diabetes, high blood pressure, hearing impairment, and so on?

The other thing that happens is although the accommodation is set up for the customer or client, but leave the room and return and everyone has forgotten about the accommodation.

Unfortunately, businesses and employers need to be reminded to provide accommodation for whatever the impairment is. The reminder can be as simple as, "You'll make a [insert assistive device name here] for me to use or shall I bring one from home or rent one?"

Perhaps one's endurance is no longer what it was. The work is piled on or lasts for more than the usual period of time (for
anyone) yet the administrator expects more and more to be accomplished. Even saying that you're tired, you're starting to make mistakes because of your fatigue, and you need a break just don't seem to sink in.

This is the time to speak up for yourself. Let the administrator know that your endurance is low. Tell them that you've done too much for the day. The rest will have to wait until the morrow. Point out how much was done. Stick with your limits. Do the rest the next day.

Reasonably Prudent Person

If they're an unethical manager, they'll point to the falloff and say you slacked off or else that you were difficult to work with in some way. They point to the times when your fatigue was so great that words became jambalaya and they'll say it took a lot to communicate with you; there was an inordinate amount of communication to get very little accomplished. Compared to what? And once you learn about the relative whose condition is just as disabling, do you really want to hear the relative's story?

A
reasonably prudent person who has an appreciation of the situation will not make inordinate demands. To do so would expose the co-worker to injury or harm. Make certain you're working with a reasonably prudent person who comprehends limits and barriers.

Building Alliances

Sometimes we prey on the sympathies of others. The need to show how objectionable the violation was from elsewhere so we use a strong voice or words. Many times, that approach makes others afraid. The strength of our reaction makes others wonder whether we're in full control of our vaculties.

It helps to speak when we're not agitated. Then speak with a calm voice or show excitement about the good of the experience. Set the tone for positive actions. Allow yourself to be the model for what you want.

It also helps to extend kindness and respect to those around you, where it is warranted. To be certain, it isn't necessary to be servile nor do anything that insinuates that you're willing to take any type of treatment that would compromise your position. But there is a way to be dignified and show respect that implies it should be reciprocated.

Communications

Some people develop an impression of who you are and operate on that belief. They hear your voice and expect anger or blame or complaints. Their posture toward you is tenative. You can even hear it in their voice. Knock down their anxiety(ies). Dispell their tenuous trepidations. Come to them with a positive note in your voice, a pleasant expression on your face, only a small example of a large problem that is an easy example. They will melt. They will want to work with you to find the solution.

Another empowering thing to do is explain as you go through discussing a matter. Even if it's a commonly known term, it sometimes helps to say, "That is to say, . . ." and redefine the word in a simpler way so that both of you are working together with the same thing in mind. This is especially important when one or both of you speak at least two languages. The chance that one of you uses the term in an alternative way is very high. Clarity through common language and equal terms is very important to good communications.

Repeating to the person what
you heard is important (and the reverse). If there was a misinterpretation, there's time to clarify immediately rather than have the mistake taken to the end of the project.

Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions. They make for a much more expeditious work order.

Plant the positive thought. Don't say "don't." If you want someone to do something, tell them, "Remember to . . ." or "It'll only take . . . to get it done."

Facing Challenges

Facing challenges is a challenge in itself. There's that old bugaboo, "
fear of failure," nipping at your heels. There's the vampire of time and destruction, the one who deletes your work so that it appears you've done nothing - or at least nothing worthwhile. This is a type of violation of the principle of "
good faith and fair dealing" and many times works as a justification for not doing business with the person anymore.

The fear stems from lack of knowledge, lack of experience, lack of tools to deal with the matter, lack of resources or backup or allies to come in with support. A good study of the matter can change that. Get the facts, get the information, to support your endeavor with the right information. Like an athelete, practice and setting milestones can also turn climbing Mount Everest into taking a few steps at a time to get to the top.

Knowing your limits and saying so is another way to handle challenges. But growth comes from pushing the limits a little farther out so that in due time you prove yourself worthy of the entire task.

Challenges are healthy when handled the right way.

Staying Focused

Staying on track and focused on your projects is a challenge. When you work from home, the temptation to see what others are doing on Facebook and Twitter is like having a magnet drawing your keyes from under the sofa. Just a little break or a little respite (especially from the defeafening silence) can sometimes be too much.

One thing that can help, and actually stimulate heightened activity, is having lively music playing in the background. It doesn't matter what it is, just so it's enjoyable.

The other thing that helps with staying focused is to prioritize the work. The most important comes first (obviously). and so on. But let's say someone shoots you an email asking you to do some little thing. It may seem like it's only a five-minute quickie but it soon proves not to be. It gets involved; research is required to do it properly, it takes you off track, and your main project is sitting there festering and becoming a tragedy about to befall someone.

You have priorities for a reason. Stick with the agenda. Tell your friend/colleague who shot the email that you have whatever number of things to accomplish ahead of them. You'll get to it as soon as possible but it doesn't look like you'll be able to handle it until whatever date.

Stay focused and on track. Once one project is completed or now on its way to completion (at the printer's shop or whatever), plug in that five-minute quickie. Give it five and then give it back!

Keeping Track of Time

What do these ads mean that seek a person who's able to multitask? What is multitasking, anyway? It becomes blurry as to whether you're actually doing something or just making a mess.

One of the things that became apparent with regard to productivity was to keep track of time. Yes, keeping a time sheet proved to be extremely helpful. Just jot down on a piece of paper (or appointment book) what you were doing when you answered the phone. Record the conversation. Make a note of when the call ended and what it concerned. Record what you turned your attention to immediately thereafter.

If your company doesn't require timesheets, all the better for you! Even if it's merely playing Solitaire for 30 minutes, you're the only one who knows and whether you were actually just taking a break after a long haul. It was amazing to see just how productive I'd been over the course of the day when I returned to recording my work.

Yes, it becomes very tedious to manually scribe your activities and remember to do so. There's software available that will assist in doing that. It's put out by Westlaw. There must be other software but this isn't about product recommendations. It's about what was learned. I learned I'm still very productive.